About 800 skiers and boarders were up at the crack of dawn on Saturday to make the most of Coronet Peak's opening day.
First on the chairlift once again were a Queenstown family who, for the third consecutive year, waited patiently in line for hours until the chairlift was opened for business.
Tania Pimm and her children Cougar (10), Tallulah (8) and Tristan (6) Bryant arrived at Coronet Peak at 5am and kept the boredom at bay by building a snow hut and throwing snowballs until they were finally allowed through the gates at the base building just before 9am.
Ms Pimm said while Cougar and Tallulah had previously experienced being ''first on the chair'', it was the first time for Tristan - who has been skiing since he was 3 years old.
After being sprayed with a bottle of Amisfield bubbles, the family set off in the relatively mild conditions to enjoy the first run of the season in both New Zealand and Australia.
Just before opening, Coronet Peak ski area manager Ross Copland said NZSki staff were ''fired up'' and ''good to go''.
''It's come up really well,'' Mr Copland said.
''The groomers have done an amazing job.''
He said the last time winter had got off to this kind of start in Queenstown was 2009, which proved to be a ''great season''.
''It's great to finally be here and we're all absolutely amped about opening on schedule with such fantastic conditions and the season to come.
''Everyone's really enjoying the snow and atmosphere, the car parks have filled up, it couldn't be better.
''The buildup to [Saturday], from the favourable weather conditions to the buzz on social media and on the street in Queenstown, has been huge and so we're thrilled to start on such a high.
''It's great for Coronet Peak, great for Queenstown, and great for tourism in New Zealand,'' Mr Copland said.
Numbers at Coronet topped 3700 for the weekend - the first time in four seasons, opening weekend crowds were so big, and up 38% on last season's opening.
''We had 2120 [on Saturday] and we're up to about 1600 today [Sunday] ... it's gone really well.
''The really positive thing for Queenstown is we've got those images across the ditch to the Aussies.''
Coronet Peak opened with a 30cm base on the lower slopes and 40cm up top, providing access on the Coronet Express to the main M1 trail, Upper and Lower Wall Street, Mid Gully, Shirtfront and Million Dollar.
Mr Copland said the snow pack was holding together despite slightly warmer temperatures. However, colder temperatures were on the way, bringing with them the opportunity to make more snow.
Mt Hutt is scheduled to open on Saturday with the Remarkables and Cardrona due to open on June 22.
